Related Articles

Fruit flies can be pests in both gardens and homes, contaminating fruit and multiplying so rapidly that control becomes difficult. Several invaders such as Mediterranean fruit fly, oriental fruit fly and Mexican fruit fly often hitch a ride on imported produce before flying off to infest gardens. Most of these pests are exterminated by vigilant agricultural authorities and programs, but they can and do come back. The more common vinegar fly is found all over the United States. All of these flies love lemons (Citrus limon), which grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Control of invasive fruit flies is generally the purview of agricultural authorities.

Vinegar Flies

Common fruit flies (Drosophila spp.), also called vinegar flies, are primarily attracted to overripe lemons on the ground or still on the tree. The adult flies have red eyes and brown to yellow-brown bodies. Adults are 0.12 inches long and their larvae are about 0.2 inches long. These maggots are white and legless and may be seen squirming around on the peel or moving in and out of tears or holes in the lemon peel as they feed on the fruit. Cleanliness is vital to controlling vinegar flies. Clean up fallen fruit around the lemon tree and harvest lemons before they become overripe, soft and stinky enough to attract vinegar flies. Damaged or wounded lemons may also be attacked, so harvest and dispose of the fruit. Pesticides are not recommended on fruit or fruit trees.

Mediterranean Fruit Flies

Nicknamed Medfly, the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) is one of the worst pests of citrus and other crops in the world. Although not native to the United States, Mediterranean fruit flies occasionally hitch a ride on imported fruits and run amok in gardens and home orchards. These flies lay eggs on the surface of the fruit, causing small scars in the lemon peel. The eggs hatch into small maggots that enter the lemon to feed on the soft, juicy flesh, ruining the fruit. Monitoring and sanitation in the garden are crucial steps to preventing Medfly attacks. Keep all overripe and fallen fruit cleared out and check lemons frequently for signs of fly activity.

Oriental Fruit Flies

A bit larger than the common housefly, oriental fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis) target lemons and about 230 other vegetables and fruits. The flies' bodies are various colors, but the larvae are white, sometimes with a yellowish cast, and 0.4 inches long. Inspecting lemons regularly for signs of egg laying or maggot activity can help minimize the impact of infestations. Fruit is damaged by the sharp ovipositor of the adult female, and by larval feeding inside the lemon. Like the Medfly, oriental fruit flies occasionally find their way into the country and are eradicated by agricultural departments rather than homeowners. Defend your lemon trees with good sanitation practices, leaving no damaged or rotting fruit on the tree or on the ground. Also check any nearby fruit-producing plants for signs of fruit fly activity, and remove overripe, damaged or rotting fruit from those areas.

Mexican Fruit Fly

Although the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) has been found in parts of the Southwest, as of early 2014, no infestations were reported. This pest is larger than a housefly and has a white-striped, orange-yellow body. Maggots hatch from eggs deposited under the skin of the lemon and feed on the pulp until maturity. Discard damaged fruit and keep the lemon tree free of overripe fruit. Clean up any fallen fruit and monitor the lemons for small scars or indentations that may signal egg-laying activity.

Report Fruit Flies

To help keep these invasive pests from getting their little legs on your lemons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Hungry Pests website recommends making sure any plants or fruits are properly inspected when you buy or import them. If Mediterranean, oriental or Mexican fruit flies are found on your property, leave the affected fruit alone and report the discovery to state or federal agricultural officials. Vinegar flies do not need to be reported, as they are found nationwide already.

About the Author

Audrey Lynn has been a journalist and writer since 1974. She edited a weekly home-and-garden tabloid for her hometown newspaper and has regularly contributed to weekly and daily newspapers, as well as "Law and Order" magazine. A Hambidge Fellow, Lynn studied English at Columbus State University.